The pressure is off now, says Hopkin after Livingston book play-off final place

Posted Saturday, May 12, 2018 by PA

Livingston manager David Hopkin insists his side are under no pressure going into the Premiership play-off final after seeing off Dundee United 4-3 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

The Lions led 3-2 from a thrilling semi-final first leg at Tannadice and defender Alan Lithgow stretched that advantage with a close-range header after only six minutes.

Midfielder Scott Fraser drew United level in the 21st minute with a fine finish, but the West Lothian side saw the game out and will likely play either Ross County or Partick Thistle.

Hamilton are all but safe as they are three points and 13 goals better off than the second-bottom Jags with one game remaining.

Hopkin does not care who his side face, but said: “The players gave me everything. I am delighted with the application of the players and it was great to see how many fans turned out.

“I am delighted for the players and staff and anything that happens now, I am not bothered because we got to the final.

“It will be very difficult against Ross County or Partick, but we can relax and enjoy it.

“We know the Premiership players have a bit more quality, they are a bit bigger, stronger and quicker. We just need to be ready to go next Thursday night.

“We have been written off the whole season. No one expected us to come through a tie against Dundee United, but we have.

“It is two games and we are under no pressure whatsoever. We can go and enjoy and if we get out we get out and if we win I will be delighted.”

Csaba Laszlo insisted that he would still be boss at Tannadice next season, despite this season’s failure.

He said: “I am committed to the club and I will definitely stay.

“We have a lot of work to rebuild everything.

“We couldn’t lose the game 3-2 at Tannadice and we had the same problem tonight, a very early goal.

“Scott McDonald had the chance to score to make it 2-1, but he didn’t.

“Nobody is happy. We failed to be at the top (of the league) and failed to be in the last games of the play-offs and this is definitely very painful.”